No. 19 Gonzaga rolls to 81-50 victory over Portland

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The Gonzaga bench celebrates a 3-point basket by Emmanuel Innocenti during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Portland, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Gonzaga guard Michael Ajayi (1) grabs a rebound next to forward Emmanuel Innocenti (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Portland, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Gonzaga guard Ryan Nembhard, right, drives to the basket while pressured by Portland guard Vincent Delano during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Gonzaga forward Graham Ike (13) shoots while pressured by Portland center Jermaine Ballisager Webb (1) and forward Bol Dengdit during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Gonzaga forward Ben Gregg (33) shoots while pressured by Portland forward Bol Dengdit during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Portland forward Austin Rapp, right, shoots while pressured by Gonzaga forward Ben Gregg during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Gonzaga head coach Mark Few directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Portland, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Gonzaga forward Ben Gregg, right, knocks the ball from Portland forward Todd Jones (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Gonzaga guard Ryan Nembhard grabs a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Portland, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Portland forward Austin Rapp (22) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Gonzaga, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Portland head coach Shantay Legans directs his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Gonzaga, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Gonzaga forward Braden Huff (34) shoots while pressured by Portland forward Bol Dengdit during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

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Gonzaga guard Khalif Battle (99) shoots while pressured by Portland forward Bol Dengdit during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

By CAM McCANN

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Nolan Hickman had 13 points and No. 19 Gonzaga cruised to an 81-50 victory over Portland on Thursday night in the Community Cancer Fund Classic at Spokane Arena.

Ryan Nembhard added 10 points and nine assists for the Bulldogs (11-4, 2-0 West Coast Conference). Dusty Stromer scored 12, Braden Huff had 10 points and Michael Ajayi pulled down 15 rebounds.

Redshirt freshman Vincent Delano was the only player in double figures for the Pilots (5-11, 0-3) with 12 points. Delano shot 6 for 16 from the field and Portland was held to 33.3% overall.

Ben Gregg had four of Gonzaga’s 10 steals.

Takeaways

Gonzaga: After shooting 2 for 15 from 3-point range in their conference opener against Pepperdine, the Zags went 11 of 24 (45.8%) in this one.

Portland: The Pilots have been outrebounded by double digits in all three league games.

Key moment

After giving up the opening score, Gonzaga went on a 20-0 run. Huff and Nembhard had six points apiece during the spurt.

Key stat

Coming into the game, Gonzaga had held opponents to 28% from behind the 3-point line. Portland went 1 for 14 in the first half and finished 4 of 25 (16%).

Not PARSE.LY: College basketball

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Saint Louis faces Saint Bonaventure following Swope’s 26-point game

Up next

Portland returns home to face Saint Mary’s on Saturday.

Gonzaga visits Loyola Marymount on Saturday.

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